Suleiman for Democratic Change without Bloodshed

President Michel Suleiman has called for democratic changes in the region but without bloodshed saying democracy should be achieved through peaceful means.

On his way back to Beirut after extending condolences to Saudi King Abdullah over the death of the crown prince, Suleiman told An Nahar’s reporter: “There is no escape from democracies in the Arab world but such democracies should be (achieved) through peaceful means away from bloodshed.”

Suleiman, who was returning to Lebanon at the head of a high-ranking delegation on Wednesday, also stressed that the U.S. and Western countries in general shouldn’t have different standards on democracies.

Asked about Speaker Nabih Berri’s call for re-launching national dialogue at Baabda palace, the president said his invitation for the all-party talks is still standing.

“Let’s see what Speaker Berri has,” he said.

When asked to comment about the bickering between the different members of the parliamentary majority on the funding of the international tribunal, Suleiman reiterated that Lebanon should pay its share to the court.

“This option is in Lebanon’s interest and let us continue consultations in this regard,” the president told An Nahar.

Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat have called for funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is set to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins.

But Hizbullah and its ally the Free Patriotic Movement have rejected such a move. The STL has indicted four Hizbullah members in Hariri’s murder case.

In remarks to al-Liwaa newspaper, Suleiman praised Saudi Arabia for its assistance and loans and said King Abdullah had taken the initiative to rebuild dozens of Lebanese villages in southern Lebanon following the July 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.